\"Oh，no；sheisprobablyalone。\"
\"Butshemustbedreadfullybored，\"saidGaston。
\"Wespendmostofoureveningtogether，orshecallstomewhenshecomesin。Shenevergoestobedbeforetwointhemorning。
Shecan\'tsleepbeforethat。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseshesuffersinthechest，andisalmostalwaysfeverish。\"
\"Hasn\'tsheanylovers？\"Iasked。
\"IneverseeanyoneremainafterIleave；Idon\'tsaynooneevercomeswhenIamgone。OftenintheeveningImeetthereacertainComtedeN。，whothinksheismakingsomeheadwaybycallingonheratelevenintheevening，andbysendingherjewelstoanyextent；butshecan\'tstandhim。Shemakesamistake；heisveryrich。ItisinvainthatIsaytoherfromtimetotime，\'Mydearchild，there\'sthemanforyou。\'She，whogenerallylistenstome，turnsherbackandrepliesthatheistoostupid。Stupid，indeed，heis；butitwouldbeapositionforher，whilethisolddukemightdieanyday。Oldmenareegoists；
hisfamilyarealwaysreproachinghimforhisaffectionforMarguerite；therearetworeasonswhyheislikelytoleavehernothing。Igivehergoodadvice，andsheonlysaysitwillbeplentyoftimetotakeonthecountwhenthedukeisdead。Itisn\'tallfun，\"continuedPrudence，\"tolivelikethat。Iknowverywellitwouldn\'tsuitme，andIshouldsoonsendtheoldmanabouthisbusiness。Heissodull；hecallsherhisdaughter；
looksafterherlikeachild；andisalwaysintheway。Iamsureatthisverymomentoneofhisservantsisprowlingaboutinthestreettoseewhocomesout，andespeciallywhogoesin。\"
\"Ah，poorMarguerite！\"saidGaston，sittingdowntothepianoandplayingawaltz。\"Ihadn\'tanotionofit，butIdidnoticeshehasn\'tbeenlookingsogaylately。\"
\"Hush，\"saidPrudence，listening。Gastonstopped。
\"Sheiscallingme，Ithink。\"
Welistened。Avoicewascalling，\"Prudence！\"
\"Come，now，youmustgo，\"saidMme。Duvernoy。
\"Ah，thatisyourideaofhospitality，\"saidGaston，laughing；
\"wewon\'tgotillweplease。\"
\"Whyshouldwego？\"
\"IamgoingovertoMarguerite\'s。\"
\"Wewillwaithere。\"
\"Youcan\'t。\"
\"Thenwewillgowithyou。\"
\"Thatstillless。\"
\"IknowMarguerite，\"saidGaston；Icanverywellpayheracall。\"
\"ButArmanddoesn\'tknowher。\"
\"Iwillintroducehim。\"
\"Impossible。\"
WeagainheardMarguerite\'svoicecallingtoPrudence，whorushedtoherdressing-roomwindow。IfollowedwithGastonassheopenedthewindow。Wehidourselvessoasnottobeseenfromoutside。
\"Ihavebeencallingyoufortenminutes，\"saidMargueritefromherwindow，inalmostanimperioustoneofvoice。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Iwantyoutocomeoveratonce。\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecausetheComtedeN。isstillhere，andheisboringmetodeath。\"
\"Ican\'tnow。\"
\"Whatishinderingyou？\"
\"Therearetwoyoungfellowsherewhowon\'tgo。\"
\"Tellthemthatyoumustgoout。\"
\"Ihavetoldthem。\"
\"Well，then，leavetheminthehouse。Theywillsoongowhentheyseeyouhavegone。\"
\"Theywillturneverythingupsidedown。\"
\"Butwhatdotheywant？\"
\"Theywanttoseeyou。\"
\"Whataretheycalled？\"
\"Youknowone，M。GastonR。\"
\"Ah，yes，Iknowhim。Andtheother？\"
\"M。ArmandDuval；andyoudon\'tknowhim。\"
\"No，butbringthemalong。Anythingisbetterthanthecount。I
expectyou。Comeatonce。\"
MargueriteclosedherwindowandPrudencehers。Marguerite，whohadrememberedmyfaceforamoment，didnotremembermyname。I
wouldratherhavebeenrememberedtomydisadvantagethanthusforgotten。
\"Iknew，\"saidGaston，\"thatshewouldbedelightedtoseeus。\"
\"Delightedisn\'ttheword，\"repliedPrudence，assheputonherhatandshawl。\"Shewillseeyouinordertogetridofthecount。Trytobemoreagreeablethanheis，or（IknowMarguerite）shewillputitalldowntome。\"
WefollowedPrudencedownstairs。Itrembled；itseemedtomethatthisvisitwastohaveagreatinfluenceonmylife。IwasstillmoreagitatedthanontheeveningwhenIwasintroducedintheboxattheOperaComique。Aswereachedthedoorthatyouknow，myheartbeatsoviolentlythatIwashardlyabletothink。
Weheardthesoundofapiano。Prudencerang。Thepianowassilent。Awomanwholookedmorelikeacompanionthanaservantopenedthedoor。Wewentintothedrawing-room，andfromthattotheboudoir，whichwasthenjustasyouhaveseenitsince。A
youngmanwasleaningagainstthemantel-piece。Marguerite，seatedatthepiano，letherfingerswanderoverthenotes，beginningscrapsofmusicwithoutfinishingthem。Thewholescenebreathedboredom，themanembarrassedbytheconsciousnessofhisnullity，thewomantiredofherdismalvisitor。AtthevoiceofPrudence，Margueriterose，andcomingtowarduswithalookofgratitudetoMme。Duvernoy，said：
\"Comein，andwelcome。\"
Chapter9
\"Good-evening，mydearGaston，\"saidMargueritetomycompanion。
\"Iamverygladtoseeyou。Whydidn\'tyoucometoseemeinmyboxattheVarietes？\"
\"Iwasafraiditwouldbeindiscreet。\"
\"Friends，\"andMargueritelingeredovertheword，asiftointimatetothosewhowerepresentthatinspiteofthefamiliarwayinwhichshegreetedhim，Gastonwasnotandneverhadbeenanythingmorethanafriend，\"friendsarealwayswelcome。\"
\"Then，willyoupermitmetointroduceM。ArmandDuval？\"
\"IhadalreadyauthorizedPrudencetodoso。\"
\"Asfarasthatgoes，madame，\"Isaid，bowing，andsucceedingingettingmoreorlessintelligiblesoundsoutofmythroat，\"I
havealreadyhadthehonourofbeingintroducedtoyou。\"
Marguerite\'sbeautifuleyesseemedtobelookingbackinmemory，butshecouldnot，orseemednotto，remember。
\"Madame，\"Icontinued，\"Iamgratefultoyouforhavingforgottentheoccasionofmyfirstintroduction，forIwasveryabsurdandmusthaveseemedtoyouverytiresome。ItwasattheOperaComique，twoyearsago；IwaswithErnestde——。\"
\"Ah，Iremember，\"saidMarguerite，withasmile。\"Itwasnotyouwhowereabsurd；itwasIwhowasmischievous，asIstillam，butsomewhatless。Youhaveforgivenme？\"
Andsheheldoutherhand，whichIkissed。
\"Itistrue，\"shewenton；\"youknowIhavethebadhabitoftryingtoembarrasspeoplethefirsttimeImeetthem。Itisverystupid。MydoctorsaysitisbecauseIamnervousandalwaysill；
believemydoctor。\"
\"Butyouseemquitewell。\"
\"Oh！Ihavebeenveryill。\"
\"Iknow。\"
\"Whotoldyou？\"
\"Everyoneknewit；Ioftencametoinquireafteryou，andIwashappytohearofyourconvalescence。\"
\"Theynevergavemeyourcard。\"
\"Ididnotleaveit。\"
\"Wasityou，then，whocalledeverydaywhileIwasill，andwouldneverleaveyourname？\"
\"Yes，itwasI。\"
\"Thenyouaremorethanindulgent，youaregenerous。You，count，wouldn\'thavedonethat，\"saidshe，turningtowardM。deN。，aftergivingmeoneofthoselooksinwhichwomensumuptheiropinionofaman。
\"Ihaveonlyknownyoufortwomonths，\"repliedthecount。
\"Andthisgentlemanonlyforfiveminutes。Youalwayssaysomethingridiculous。\"
Womenarepitilesstowardthosewhomtheydonotcarefor。Thecountreddenedandbithislips。
Iwassorryforhim，forheseemed，likemyself，tobeinlove，andthebitterfranknessofMargueritemusthavemadehimveryunhappy，especiallyinthepresenceoftwostrangers。
\"Youwereplayingthepianowhenwecamein，\"Isaid，inordertochangetheconversation。\"Won\'tyoubesogoodastotreatmeasanoldacquaintanceandgoon？\"
\"Oh，\"saidshe，flingingherselfonthesofaandmotioningtoustositdown，\"Gastonknowswhatmymusicislike。ItisallverywellwhenIamalonewiththecount，butIwon\'tinflictsuchapunishmentonyou。\"
\"Youshowmethatpreference？\"saidM。deN。，withasmilewhichhetriedtorenderdelicatelyironical。
\"Don\'treproachmeforit。Itistheonlyone。\"Itwasfatedthatthepoormanwasnottosayasingleword。HecastareallysupplicatingglanceatMarguerite。
\"Well，Prudence，\"shewenton，\"haveyoudonewhatIaskedyoutodo？\"
\"Yes。
\"Allright。Youwilltellmeaboutitlater。Wemusttalkoverit；don\'tgobeforeIcanspeakwithyou。\"
\"Wearedoubtlessintruders，\"Isaid，\"andnowthatwe，orratherI，havehadasecondintroduction，toblotoutthefirst，itistimeforGastonandmetobegoing。\"
\"Notintheleast。Ididn\'tmeanthatforyou。Iwantyoutostay。\"
Thecounttookaveryelegantwatchoutofhispocketandlookedatthetime。\"Imustbegoingtomyclub，\"hesaid。Margueritedidnotanswer。Thecountthereuponlefthispositionbythefireplaceandgoinguptoher，said：\"Adieu，madame。\"
Margueriterose。\"Adieu，mydearcount。Areyougoingalready？\"
\"Yes，IfearIamboringyou。\"
\"Youarenotboringmeto-daymorethananyotherday。WhenshallIbeseeingyou？\"
\"Whenyoupermitme。\"
\"Good-bye，then。\"
Itwascruel，youwilladmit。Fortunately，thecounthadexcellentmannersandwasverygood-tempered。HemerelykissedMarguerite\'shand，whichsheheldouttohimcarelesslyenough，and，bowingtous，wentout。
Ashecrossedthethreshold，hecastaglanceatPrudence。Sheshruggedhershoulders，asmuchastosay：
\"Whatdoyouexpect？IhavedoneallIcould。\"
\"Nanine！\"criedMarguerite。\"LightM。leComtetothedoor。\"
Weheardthedooropenandshut。
\"Atlast，\"criedMarguerite，comingback，\"hehasgone！Thatmangetsfrightfullyonmynerves！\"
\"Mydearchild，\"saidPrudence，\"youreallytreathimtoobadly，andheissogoodandkindtoyou。Lookatthiswatchonthemantel-piece，thathegaveyou：itmusthavecosthimatleastthreethousandfrancs，Iamsure。\"
AndMme。Duvernoybegantoturnitover，asitlayonthemantel-piece，lookingatitwithcovetouseyes。
\"Mydear，\"saidMarguerite，sittingdowntothepiano，\"whenI
putononesidewhathegivesmeandontheotherwhathesaystome，itseemstomethathebuyshisvisitsverycheap。\"
\"Thepoorfellowisinlovewithyou。\"
\"IfIhadtolistentoeverybodywhowasinlovewithme，I
shouldn\'thavetimeformydinner。\"
Andshebegantorunherfingersoverthepiano，andthen，turningtous，shesaid：
\"Whatwillyoutake？IthinkIshouldlikealittlepunch。\"
\"AndIcouldeatalittlechicken，\"saidPrudence。\"Supposewehavesupper？\"
\"That\'sit，let\'sgoandhavesupper，\"saidGaston。
\"No，wewillhavesupperhere。\"
Sherang，andNanineappeared。
\"Sendforsomesupper。\"
\"WhatmustIget？\"
\"Whateveryoulike，butatonce，atonce。\"
Naninewentout。
\"That\'sit，\"saidMarguerite，jumpinglikeachild，\"we\'llhavesupper。Howtiresomethatidiotofacountis！\"
ThemoreIsawher，themoresheenchantedme。Shewasexquisitelybeautiful。Herslendernesswasacharm。Iwaslostincontemplation。
WhatwaspassinginmymindIshouldhavesomedifficultyinexplaining。Iwasfullofindulgenceforherlife，fullofadmirationforherbeauty。Theproofofdisinterestednessthatshegaveinnotacceptingarichandfashionableyoungman，readytowasteallhismoneyuponher，excusedherinmyeyesforallherfaultsinthepast。
Therewasakindofcandourinthiswoman。Youcouldseeshewasstillinthevirginityofvice。Herfirmwalk，hersupplefigure，herrosy，opennostrils，herlargeeyes，slightlytingedwithblue，indicatedoneofthoseardentnatureswhichsbedaroundthemasortofvoluptuousperfume，likeEasternvials，which，closethemastightlyasyouwill，stillletsomeoftheirperfumeescape。Finally，whetheritwassimplenatureorabreathoffever，therepassedfromtimetotimeintheeyesofthiswomanaglimmerofdesire，givingpromiseofaveryheavenforonewhomsheshouldlove。ButthosewhohadlovedMargueritewerenottobecounted，northosewhomshehadloved。
Inthisgirltherewasatoncethevirginwhomamerenothinghadturnedintoacourtesan，andthecourtesanwhomamerenothingwouldhaveturnedintothemostlovingandthepurestofvirgins。
Margueritehadstillprideandindependence，twosentimentswhich，iftheyarewounded，canbetheequivalentofasenseofshame。Ididnotspeakaword；mysoulseemedtohavepassedintomyheartandmyheartintomyeyes。
\"So，\"saidsheallatonce，\"itwasyouwhocametoinquireaftermewhenIwasill？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Doyouknow，itwasquitesplendidofyou！HowcanIthankyouforit？\"
\"Byallowingmetocomeandseeyoufromtimetotime。\"
\"Asoftenasyoulike，fromfivetosix，andfromeleventotwelve。Now，Gaston，playtheInvitationAlaValse。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Topleaseme，firstofall，andthenbecauseInevercanmanagetoplayitmyself。\"
\"Whatpartdoyoufinddifficult？\"
\"Thethirdpart，thepartinsharps。\"
Gastonroseandwenttothepiano，andbegantoplaythewonderfulmelodyofWeber，themusicofwhichstoodopenbeforehim。
Marguerite，restingonehandonthepiano，followedeverynoteonthemusic，accompanyingitinalowvoice，andwhenGastonhadcometothepassagewhichshehadmentionedtohim，shesangout，runningherfingersalongthetopofthepiano：
\"Do，re，mi，do，re，fa，mi，re；thatiswhatIcannotdo。Overagain。\"
Gastonbeganoveragain，afterwhichMargueritesaid：
\"Now，letmetry。\"
Shetookherplaceandbegantoplay；butherrebelliousfingersalwayscametogriefoveroneofthenotes。
\"Isn\'titincredible，\"shesaid，exactlylikeachild，\"thatI
cannotsucceedinplayingthatpassage？WouldyoubelievethatI
sometimesspendtwohoursofthemorningoverit？AndwhenI
thinkthatthatidiotofacountplaysitwithouthismusic，andbeautifully，Ireallybelieveitisthatthatmakesmesofuriouswithhim。\"Andshebeganagain，alwayswiththesameresult。
\"ThedeviltakeWeber，music，andpianos！\"shecried，throwingthemusictotheotherendoftheroom。\"HowcanIplayeightsharpsoneafteranother？\"Shefoldedherarmsandlookedatus，stampingherfoot。Thebloodflewtohercheeks，andherlipshalfopenedinaslightcough。
\"Come，come，\"saidPrudence，whohadtakenoffherhatandwassmoothingherhairbeforetheglass，\"youwillworkyourselfintoarageanddoyourselfharm。Bettercomeandhavesupper；formypart，Iamdyingofhunger。\"
Margueriterangthebell，satdowntothepianoagain，andbegantohumoveraveryriskysong，whichsheaccompaniedwithoutdifficulty。Gastonknewthesong，andtheygaveasortofduet。
\"Don\'tsingthosebeastlythings，\"IsaidtoMarguerite，imploringly。
\"Oh，howproperyouare！\"shesaid，smilingandgivingmeherhand。\"Itisnotformyself，butforyou。\"
Margueritemadeagestureasiftosay，\"Oh，itislongsincethatIhavedonewithpropriety！\"AtthatmomentNanineappeared。
\"Issupperready？\"askedMarguerite。\"Yes，madame，inonemoment。\"
\"Apropos，\"saidPrudencetome，\"youhavenotlookedround；come，andIwillshowyou。\"Asyouknow，thedrawing-roomwasamarvel。
Margueritewentwithusforamoment；thenshecalledGastonandwentintothedining-roomwithhimtoseeifsupperwasready。
\"Ah，\"saidPrudence，catchingsightofalittleSaxefigureonaside-table，\"Ineverknewyouhadthislittlegentleman。\"
\"Which？\"
\"Alittleshepherdholdingabird-cage。\"
\"Takeit，ifyoulikeit。\"
\"Iwon\'tdepriveyouofit。\"
\"Iwasgoingtogiveittomymaid。Ithinkithideous；butifyoulikeit，takeit。\"
Prudenceonlysawthepresent，notthewayinwhichitwasgiven。
Sheputthelittlefigureononeside，andtookmeintothedressing-room，wheresheshowedmetwominiatureshangingsidebyside，andsaid：
\"ThatistheComtedeG。，whowasverymuchinlovewithMarguerite；itwashewhobroughtherout。Doyouknowhim？\"
\"No。Andthisone？\"Iinquired，pointingtotheotherminiature。
\"ThatisthelittleVicomtedeL。Hewasobligedtodisappear。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becausehewasallbutruined。That\'sone，ifyoulike，wholovedMarguerite。\"
\"Andshelovedhim，too，nodoubt？\"
\"Sheissuchaqueergirl，oneneverknows。Thenighthewentawayshewenttothetheatreasusual，andyetshehadcriedwhenhesaidgood-byetoher。\"
JustthenNanineappeared，totellusthatsupperwasserved。
Whenweenteredthedining-room，Margueritewasleaningagainstthewall，andGaston，holdingherhands，wasspeakingtoherinalowvoice。
\"Youaremad，\"repliedMarguerite。\"YouknowquitewellthatI
don\'twantyou。Itisnogoodattheendoftwoyearstomakelovetoawomanlikeme。Withus，itisatonce，ornever。Come，gentlemen，supper！\"
And，slippingawayfromGaston，Margueritemadehimsitonherrightattable，meonherleft，thencalledtoNanine：
\"Beforeyousitdown，telltheminthekitchennottoopentoanybodyifthereisaring。\"
Thisorderwasgivenatoneo\'clockinthemorning。
Welaughed，drank，andatefreelyatthissupper。Inashortwhilemirthhadreacheditslastlimit，andthewordsthatseemfunnytoacertainclassofpeople，wordsthatdegradethemouththatuttersthem，wereheardfromtimetotime，amidsttheapplauseofNanine，ofPrudence，andofMarguerite。Gastonwasthoroughlyamused；hewasaverygoodsortoffellow，butsomewhatspoiledbythehabitsofhisyouth。ForamomentItriedtoforgetmyself，toforcemyheartandmythoughtstobecomeindifferenttothesightbeforeme，andtotakemyshareofthatgaietywhichseemedlikeoneofthecoursesofthemeal。ButlittlebylittleIwithdrewfromthenoise；myglassremainedfull，andIfeltalmostsadasIsawthisbeautifulcreatureoftwentydrinking，talkinglikeaporter，andlaughingthemoreloudlythemorescandalouswasthejoke。
Nevertheless，thishilarity，thiswayoftalkinganddrinking，whichseemedtomeintheothersthemereresultsofbadcompanyorofbadhabits，seemedinMargueriteanecessityofforgetting，afever，anervousirritability。Ateveryglassofchampagnehercheekswouldflushwithafeverishcolour，andacough，hardlyperceptibleatthebeginningofsupper，becameatlastsoviolentthatshewasobligedtoleanherheadonthebackofherchairandholdherchestinherhandseverytimethatshecoughed。I
sufferedatthethoughtoftheinjurytosofrailaconstitutionwhichmustcomefromdailyexcesseslikethis。Atlength，somethingwhichIhadfearedandforeseenhappened。TowardtheendofsupperMargueritewasseizedbyamoreviolentfitofcoughingthananyshehadhadwhileIwasthere。Itseemedasifherchestwerebeingtornintwo。Thepoorgirlturnedcrimson，closedhereyesunderthepain，andputhernapkintoherlips。
Itwasstainedwithadropofblood。Sheroseandranintoherdressing-room。
\"WhatisthematterwithMarguerite？\"askedGaston。
\"Shehasbeenlaughingtoomuch，andsheisspittingblood。Oh，itisnothing；ithappenstohereveryday。Shewillbebackinaminute。Leaveheralone。Sheprefersit。\"
Icouldnotstaystill；and，totheconsternationofPrudenceandNanine，whocalledtometocomeback，IfollowedMarguerite。\"
Chapter10
Theroomtowhichshehadfledwaslitonlybyasinglecandle。
Shelaybackonagreatsofa，herdressundone，holdingonehandonherheart，andlettingtheotherhangbyherside。Onthetablewasabasinhalffullofwater，andthewaterwasstainedwithstreaksofblood。
Verypale，hermouthhalfopen，Margueritetriedtorecoverbreath。Nowandagainherbosomwasraisedbyalongsigh，whichseemedtorelieveheralittle，andforafewsecondsshewouldseemtobequitecomfortable。
Iwentuptoher；shemadenomovement，andIsatdownandtookthehandwhichwaslyingonthesofa。
\"Ah！itisyou，\"shesaid，withasmile。
Imusthavelookedgreatlyagitated，forsheadded：
\"Areyouunwell，too？\"
\"No，butyou：doyoustillsuffer？\"
\"Verylittle；\"andshewipedoffwithherhandkerchiefthetearswhichthecoughinghadbroughttohereyes；\"Iamusedtoitnow。\"
\"Youarekillingyourself，madame，\"Isaidtoherinamovedvoice。\"IwishIwereafriend，arelationofyours，thatImightkeepyoufromdoingyourselfharmlikethis。\"
\"Ah！itisreallynotworthyourwhiletoalarmyourself，\"sherepliedinasomewhatbittertone；\"seehowmuchnoticetheotherstakeofme！Theyknowtoowellthatthereisnothingtobedone。\"
Thereuponshegotup，and，takingthecandle，putitonthemantel-pieceandlookedatherselfintheglass。
\"HowpaleIam！\"shesaid，asshefastenedherdressandpassedherfingersoverherloosenedhair。\"Come，letusgobacktosupper。Areyoucoming？\"
Isatstillanddidnotmove。
ShesawhowdeeplyIhadbeenaffectedbythewholescene，and，cominguptome，heldoutherhand，saying：
\"Comenow，letusgo。\"
Itookherhand，raisedittomylips，andinspiteofmyselftwotearsfelluponit。
\"Why，whatachildyouare！\"shesaid，sittingdownbymysideagain。\"Youarecrying！Whatisthematter？\"
\"Imustseemverysillytoyou，butIamfrightfullytroubledbywhatIhavejustseen。\"
\"Youareverygood！Whatwouldyouhaveofme？Icannotsleep。I
mustamusemyselfalittle。Andthen，girlslikeme，whatdoesitmatter，onemoreorless？ThedoctorstellmethatthebloodI
spitupcomesfrommythroat；Ipretendtobelievethem；itisallIcandoforthem。\"
\"Listen，Marguerite，\"Isaid，unabletocontainmyselfanylonger；\"Idonotknowwhatinfluenceyouaregoingtohaveovermylife，butatthispresentmomentthereisnoone，notevenmysister，inwhomIfeeltheinterestwhichIfeelinyou。IthasbeenjustthesameeversinceIsawyou。Well，forHeaven\'ssake，takecareofyourself，anddonotliveasyouarelivingnow。\"
\"IfItookcareofmyselfIshoulddie。AllthatsupportsmeisthefeverishlifeIlead。Then，asfortakingcareofoneself，thatisallverywellforwomenwithfamiliesandfriends；asforus，fromthemomentwecannolongerservethevanityorthepleasureofourlovers，theyleaveus，andlongnightsfollowlongdays。Iknowit。Iwasinbedfortwomonths，andafterthreeweeksnoonecametoseeme。\"
\"ItistrueIamnothingtoyou，\"Iwenton，\"butifyouwillletme，Iwilllookafteryoulikeabrother，Iwillneverleaveyourside，andIwillcureyou。Then，whenyouarestrongagain，youcangobacktothelifeyouareleading，ifyouchoose；butIamsureyouwillcometopreferaquietlife，whichwillmakeyouhappierandkeepyourbeautyunspoiled。\"
\"Youthinklikethatto-nightbecausethewinehasmadeyousad，butyouwouldneverhavethepatiencethatyoupretendto。\"
\"Permitmetosay，Marguerite，thatyouwereillfortwomonths，andthatfortwomonthsIcametoaskafteryoueveryday。\"
\"Itistrue，butwhydidyounotcomeup？\"
\"BecauseIdidnotknowyouthen。\"
\"Needyouhavebeensoparticularwithagirllikeme？\"
\"Onemustalwaysbeparticularwithawoman；itiswhatIfeel，atleast。\"
\"Soyouwouldlookafterme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Youwouldstaybymeallday？\"
\"Yes。
\"Andevenallnight？\"
\"AslongasIdidnotwearyyou。\"
\"Andwhatdoyoucallthat？\"
\"Devotion。\"
\"Andwhatdoesthisdevotioncomefrom？\"
\"TheirresistiblesympathywhichIhaveforyou。\"
\"Soyouareinlovewithme？Sayitstraightout，itismuchmoresimple。\"
\"Itispossible；butifIamtosayittoyouoneday，itisnotto-day。\"
\"Youwilldobetternevertosayit。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseonlyoneoftwothingscancomeofit。\"
\"What？\"
\"EitherIshallnotaccept：thenyouwillhaveagrudgeagainstme；orIshallaccept：thenyouwillhaveasorrymistress；awomanwhoisnervous，ill，sad，orgaywithagaietysadderthangrief，awomanwhospitsbloodandspendsahundredthousandfrancsayear。Thatisallverywellforaricholdmanliketheduke，butitisverybadforayoungmanlikeyou，andtheproofofitisthatalltheyoungloversIhavehadhaveverysoonleftme。\"Ididnotanswer；Ilistened。Thisfrankness，whichwasalmostakindofconfession，thesadlife，ofwhichIcaughtsomeglimpsethroughthegoldenveilwhichcoveredit，andwhoserealitythepoorgirlsoughttoescapeindissipation，drink，andwakefulness，impressedmesodeeplythatIcouldnotutterasingleword。
\"Come，\"continuedMarguerite，\"wearetalkingmerechildishness。
Givemeyourarmandletusgobacktothedining-room。Theywon\'tknowwhatwemeanbyourabsence。\"
\"Goin，ifyoulike，butallowmetostayhere。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseyourmirthhurtsme。\"
\"Well，Iwillbesad。\"
\"Marguerite，letmesaytoyousomethingwhichyouhavenodoubtoftenheard，sooftenthatthehabitofhearingithasmadeyoubelieveitnolonger，butwhichisnonethelessreal，andwhichIwillneverrepeat。\"
\"Andthatis……？\"shesaid，withthesmileofayoungmotherlisteningtosomefoolishnotionofherchild。
\"Itisthis，thateversinceIhaveseenyou，Iknownotwhy，youhavetakenaplaceinmylife；that，ifIdrivethethoughtofyououtofmymind，italwayscomesback；thatwhenImetyouto-day，afternothavingseenyoufortwoyears，youmadeadeeperimpressiononmyheartandmindthanever；that，nowthatyouhaveletmecometoseeyou，nowthatIknowyou，nowthatI
knowallthatisstrangeinyou，youhavebecomeanecessityofmylife，andyouwilldrivememad，notonlyifyouwillnotloveme，butifyouwillnotletmeloveyou。\"
\"But，foolishcreaturethatyouare，Ishallsaytoyou，likeMme。D。，\'Youmustbeveryrich，then！\'Why，youdon\'tknowthatIspendsixorseventhousandfrancsamonth，andthatIcouldnotlivewithoutit；youdon\'tknow，mypoorfriend，thatI
shouldruinyouinnotime，andthatyourfamilywouldcastyouoffifyouweretolivewithawomanlikeme。Letusbefriends，goodfriends，butnomore。Comeandseeme，wewilllaughandtalk，butdon\'texaggeratewhatIamworth，forIamworthverylittle。Youhaveagoodheart，youwantsomeonetoloveyou，youaretooyoungandtoosensitivetoliveinaworldlikemine。
Takeamarriedwoman。Yousee，Ispeaktoyoufrankly，likeafriend。\"
\"Butwhatthedevilareyoudoingthere？\"criedPrudence，whohadcomeinwithoutourbearingher，andwhonowstoodjustinsidethedoor，withherhairhalfcomingdownandherdressundone。I
recognisedthehandofGaston。
\"Wearetalkingsense，\"saidMarguerite；\"leaveusalone；wewillbebacksoon。\"
\"Good，good！Talk，mychildren，\"saidPrudence，goingoutandclosingthedoorbehindher，asiftofurtherempbasizethetoneinwhichshehadsaidthesewords。
\"Well，itisagreed，\"continuedMarguerite，whenwewerealone，\"youwon\'tfallinlovewithme？\"
\"Iwillgoaway。\"
\"Somuchasthat？\"
Ihadgonetoofartodrawback；andIwasreallycarriedaway。
Thisminglingofgaiety，sadness，candour，prostitution，herverymalady，whichnodoubtdevelopedinherasensitivenesstoimpressions，aswellasanirritabilityofnerves，allthismadeitcleartomethatiffromtheverybeginningIdidnotcompletelydominateherlightandforgetfulnature，shewaslosttome。
\"Come，now，doyouseriouslymeanwhatyousay？\"shesaid。
\"Seriously。\"
\"Butwhydidn\'tyousayittomesooner？\"
\"WhencouldIhavesaidit？\"
\"ThedayafteryouhadbeenintroducedtomeattheOperaComique。\"
\"IthoughtyouwouldhavereceivedmeverybadlyifIhadcometoseeyou。\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecauseIhadbehavedsostupidly。\"
\"That\'strue。Andyetyouwerealreadyinlovewithme。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andthatdidn\'thinderyoufromgoingtobedandsleepingquitecomfortably。Oneknowswhatthatsortoflovemeans。\"
\"Thereyouaremistaken。DoyouknowwhatIdidthatevening，aftertheOperaComique？\"
\"No。\"
\"IwaitedforyouatthedooroftheCafeAnglais。Ifollowedthecarriageinwhichyouandyourthreefriendswere，andwhenIsawyouweretheonlyonetogetdown，andthatyouwentinalone，I
wasveryhappy。\"
Margueritebegantolaugh。
\"Whatareyoulaughingat？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"Tellme，Ibegofyou，orIshallthinkyouarestilllaughingatme。\"
\"Youwon\'tbecross？\"
\"WhatrighthaveItobecross？\"
\"Well，therewasasufficientreasonwhyIwentinalone。\"
\"What？\"
\"Someonewaswaitingformehere。\"
Ifshehadthrustaknifeintomeshewouldnothavehurtmemore。Irose，andholdingoutmyhand，\"Goodbye，\"saidI。
\"Iknewyouwouldbecross，\"shesaid；\"menarefrantictoknowwhatiscertaintogivethempain。\"
\"ButIassureyou，\"Iaddedcoldly，asifwishingtoprovehowcompletelyIwascuredofmypassion，\"IassureyouthatIamnotcross。Itwasquitenaturalthatsomeoneshouldbewaitingforyou，justasitisquitenaturalthatIshouldgofromhereatthreeinthemorning。\"
\"Haveyou，too，someonewaitingforyou？\"
\"No，butImustgo。\"
\"Good-bye，then。\"
\"Yousendmeaway？\"
\"Nottheleastintheworld。\"
\"Whyareyousounkindtome？\"
\"HowhaveIbeenunkindtoyou？\"
\"Intellingmethatsomeonewaswaitingforyou。\"
\"Icouldnothelplaughingattheideathatyouhadbeensohappytoseemecomeinalonewhentherewassuchagoodreasonforit。\"
\"Onefindspleasureinchildishenoughthings，anditistoobadtodestroysuchapleasurewhen，bysimplyleavingitalone，onecanmakesomebodysohappy。\"
\"ButwhatdoyouthinkIam？Iamneithermaidnorduchess。I
didn\'tknowyoutillto-day，andIamnotresponsibletoyouformyactions。SupposingonedayIshouldbecomeyourmistress，youareboundtoknowthatIhavehadotherloversbesidesyou。Ifyoumakescenesofjealousylikethisbefore，whatwillitbeafter，ifthataftershouldeverexist？Inevermetanyonelikeyou。\"
\"ThatisbecausenoonehaseverlovedyouasIloveyou。\"
\"Frankly，then，youreallyloveme？\"
\"Asmuchasitispossibletolove，Ithink。\"
\"Andthathaslastedsince——？\"
\"SincethedayIsawyougointoSusse\'s，threeyearsago。
\"Doyouknow，thatistremendouslyfine？Well，whatamtodoinreturn？\"
\"Lovemealittle，\"Isaid，myheartbeatingsothatIcouldhardlyspeak；for，inspiteofthehalf-mockingsmileswithwhichshehadaccompaniedthewholeconversation，itseemedtomethatMargueritebegantosharemyagitation，andthatthehoursolongawaitedwasdrawingnear。
\"Well，buttheduke？\"
\"Whatduke？\"
\"Myjealousoldduke。\"
\"Hewillknownothing。\"
\"Andifheshould？\"
\"Hewouldforgiveyou。\"
\"Ah，no，hewouldleaveme，andwhatwouldbecomeofme？\"
\"Youriskthatforsomeoneelse。\"
\"Howdoyouknow？\"\"Bytheorderyougavenottoadmitanyoneto-night。\"\"Itistrue；butthatisaseriousfriend。\"
\"Forwhomyoucarenothing，asyouhaveshutyourdooragainsthimatsuchanhour。\"
\"Itisnotforyoutoreproachme，sinceitwasinordertoreceiveyou，youandyourfriend。\"
LittlebylittleIhaddrawnnearertoMarguerite。Ihadputmyarmsaboutherwaist，andIfelthersupplebodyweighlightlyonmyclaspedhands。
\"IfyouknewhowmuchIloveyou！\"Isaidinalowvoice。\"Reallytrue？\"
\"Iswearit。\"
\"Well，ifyouwillpromisetodoeverythingItellyou，withoutaword，withoutanopinion，withoutaquestion，perhapsIwillsayyes。\"
\"Iwilldoeverythingthatyouwish！\"
\"ButIforewarnyouImustbefreetodoasIplease，withoutgivingyoutheslightestdetailswhatIdo。Ihavelongwishedforayounglover，whoshouldbeyoungandnotself-willed，lovingwithoutdistrust，lovedwithoutclaimingtherighttoit。
Ihaveneverfoundone。Men，insteadofbeingsatisfiedinobtainingforalongtimewhattheyscarcelyhopedtoobtainonce，exactfromtheirmistressesafullaccountofthepresent，thepast，andeventhefuture。Astheygetaccustomedtoher，theywanttoruleher，andthemoreonegivesthemthemoreexactingtheybecome。IfIdecidenowontakinganewlover，hemusthavethreeveryrarequalities：hemustbeconfiding，submissive，anddiscreet。\"
\"Well，Iwillbeallthatyouwish。\"
\"Weshallsee。\"
\"Whenshallwesee？\"
\"Lateron。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Because，\"saidMarguerite，releasingherselffrommyarms，and，takingfromagreatbunchofredcamelliasasinglecamellia，sheplaceditinmybuttonhole，\"becauseonecannotalwayscarryoutagreementsthedaytheyaresigned。\"
\"AndwhenshallIseeyouagain？\"Isaid，claspingherinmyarms。
\"Whenthiscamelliachangescolour。\"
\"Whenwillitchangecolour？\"
\"To-morrownightbetweenelevenandtwelve。Areyousatisfied？\"
\"Needyouaskme？\"
\"NotawordofthiseithertoyourfriendortoPrudence，ortoanybodywhatever。\"
\"Ipromise。\"
\"Now，kissme，andwewillgobacktothedining-room。\"
Sheheldupherlipstome，smoothedherhairagain，andwewentoutoftheroom，shesinging，andIalmostbesidemyself。
Inthenextroomshestoppedforamomentandsaidtomeinalowvoice：
\"ItmustseemstrangetoyouthatIamreadytotakeyouatamoment\'snotice。ShallItellyouwhy？Itis，\"shecontinued，takingmyhandandplacingitagainstherheartsothatIcouldfeelhowrapidlyandviolentlyitpalpitated；\"itisbecauseI
shallnotliveaslongasothers，andIhavepromisedmyselftolivemorequickly。\"
\"Don\'tspeaktomelikethat，Ientreatyou。\"
\"Oh，makeyourselfeasy，\"shecontinued，laughing；\"howevershortatimeIhavetolive，Ishalllivelongerthanyouwillloveme！\"
Andshewentsingingintothedining-room。
\"WhereisNanine？\"shesaid，seeingGastonandPrudencealone。
\"Sheisasleepinyourroom，waitingtillyouarereadytogotobed，\"repliedPrudence。